Vilu War Museum, Military museum in Vilu Village, Solomon Islands.
The Vilu War Museum is an outdoor museum in a village west of Honiara displaying aircraft wreckage, artillery pieces, and military equipment from World War II. The collection comes from both sides of the Pacific War and sits along the coastal road between White River and Bonegi Beach.
Fred Kona founded the museum in 1975 to preserve remains from the Guadalcanal Campaign of 1942-1943, a major battle in the Pacific War. This campaign was one of the first major Allied counteroffensives against Japanese forces during the conflict.
The museum grounds display memorial plaques honoring military units from different nations, creating connections between the Solomon Islands and visitors from around the world. This recognition of both allied and opposing soldiers reflects the island's shared history.
The museum is located on the sealed coastal road west of Honiara and is reached by following the road past White River and Bonegi Beach. Visitors should prepare for weather conditions, as the grounds can become muddy during rain.
The collection includes rare artifacts such as a Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat, Japanese howitzers, and parts from an American OS2U Float Plane. These specific items come from different phases of the campaign and show the technical diversity of both sides.
Location: Guadalcanal
Address: Lenggakiki, Solomon Islands
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 07:30-17:00
Phone: +6778777287
GPS coordinates: -9.31898,159.79354
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:07
The Solomon Islands in the South Pacific preserve numerous traces of World War II. In Honiara, the National Museum and Vilu War Museum document the Guadalcanal Campaign through collections of artillery pieces, aircraft wrecks, and military equipment. Offshore, sunken warships and planes have become dive sites. The archipelago includes active volcanoes such as Mount Balbi on Bougainville and Tinakula. The Marovo Lagoon ranks among the world's largest saltwater lagoons. Waterfalls include Mataniko Falls near Honiara and Tenaru Falls. The Central Market in Honiara offers local produce, fish, and handicrafts from various provinces across the archipelago.
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